STUDENTS from Cheney School this weekend paid further respects to their classmate Aown Dogar, who died last Thursday after falling into the River Thames.

About 40 teenagers, mainly from Year 9, met at Donnington Bridge on Saturday to comfort one another and sign a card. The card was written on behalf of the Quarry Rovers FC Under-15s, who Aown had recently played his first match.

Manager Mark Lygo said: “I was really taken back by the Year 9 students and how they have come together, from all walks of life, and reunited under this tragedy.

“There were tears, laughter and hugs. This is the way they’re dealing with it, by being there for each other. It’s something I have never seen before.”

The card will be presented to Aown’s parents alongside his retired number 17 shirt, signed by club members, and a scrapbook created by his cousin Amaan.

Seven members of the club also took part in a minute’s silence during a training session on Friday. Mr Lygo added: “All of the lads that weren’t at training I visited the next day to speak to them.”

At the end of the day I had to be there whether one or 14 turned up, so there was a place for them to be.” Another formal tribute, possibly in the form of a balloon release, is currently being arranged by Cheney School staff.

Aown, 13, fell into the River Thames at Weirs Lane, near Donnington Bridge, on Thursday evening.

He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital but pronounced dead at 9pm.

A funeral service is planned for 1.30pm today at the Central Oxford Mosque, Manzil Way.